Horseheads, New York Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Horseheads, New York had a total population of 6,449, the 303rd largest village in New York, with a median household income of $61,223, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Horseheads Quick Facts
How Horseheads Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,494 | 6,449 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $59,267 | $61,223 | +3.3% |
| Median home value | $133,400 | $141,400 | +6.0% |
How Horseheads Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Horseheads Rankings in New York
Explore New York Rankings
Other Cities in Chemung County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira | 26,257 | $43,120 | 30.2% | $93,000 |
| Southport | 6,450 | $62,684 | 11.5% | $107,900 |
| Big Flats | 5,651 | $89,286 | 4.8% | $224,400 |
| West Elmira | 4,750 | $111,417 | 5.1% | $198,300 |
| Elmira Heights | 4,110 | $58,125 | 24.6% | $104,800 |
| Horseheads North | 2,676 | $90,481 | 4.7% | $210,600 |
| Pine Valley | 721 | N/A | 26.8% | N/A |
| Breesport | 628 | $85,294 | 4.8% | $162,200 |
| Van Etten | 587 | $60,200 | 11.7% | $127,500 |
| Erin | 473 | $42,313 | 15.4% | $45,700 |
Cities Similar to Horseheads
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southport | 6,450 | $62,684 | $107,900 | 17.7% | 11.5% |
| Solvay | 6,544 | $61,166 | $150,000 | 24.0% | 6.9% |
| Fairview (Dutchess County) | 6,213 | $67,161 | $283,500 | 27.9% | 21.7% |
| University at Buffalo | 7,020 | N/A | N/A | 95.7% | 48.5% |
| Seneca Falls | 6,956 | $59,864 | $123,700 | 25.8% | 15.9% |
Population Overview
Horseheads is a small city located in New York, within Chemung County. The total population is 6,449. It ranks as the 303rd most populous out of 1,289 Census-designated places in New York.
Age Demographics
The median age in Horseheads is 44.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 39.8 years. 14.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Horseheads is $61,223. This is 29% lower than the state median of $85,974. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.8%. This is 16% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.0%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 6.4%. The median home value is $141,400. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $423,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Horseheads is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 54.4%.
Race & Ethnicity
Horseheads has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (86.4% vs 52.8%). The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 13.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 19.8%. The Asian population (1.4%) is well below the state average of 9.0%.
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 40.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Horseheads, New York is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against New York state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,289 Census-designated places in New York. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Horseheads, New York?
Horseheads, New York has a population of 6,449 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Horseheads, NY?
The median household income in Horseheads is $61,223, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Horseheads, NY?
The poverty rate in Horseheads is 11.8%. This means approximately 744 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Horseheads, New York?
Horseheads's population is 86.4% White, 2.9% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Horseheads, NY?
The median home value in Horseheads is $141,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Horseheads, New York?
29.6% of adults (25+) in Horseheads hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.